y2016m03b08
20160330104000
assa
nadine@assaf.org.za
assa
South African Journal of Science
S. Afr. J. Sci
0038-2353
1996-7489
03302016
Volume 112
Number 3/4
Fertigation of Brassica rapa L. using treated landfill leachate as a nutrient recycling option
English
Frank O.
Alaribe
Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Pariatamby
Agamuthu
Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Abstract
Optimising nutrient availability and minimising plant metal contamination are vital in sustainable agriculture. This paper reports experiments in which treated leachate was used at different concentrations with predetermined N content for fertigation of Brassica rapa L. (leafy vegetable). An inorganic fertiliser, with N content equivalent to the leachate amount, was also prepared, as well as a control. Growth (leaf length, leaf width and stem height), harvest parameters (total number of leaves, root length and root dry weight) and specific growth rates (mm/day) were determined for three consecutive seasons. The dry weights of leaves, roots and stems in the leachate treatments were within the ranges of 1.95–3.60 g, 1.18–3.60 g and 0.33–1.37 g, with biomasses of 1.75 g, 1.14 g and 0.2 g, respectively, which were higher than those of the control. B. rapa L. fertigated with 25% diluted treated leachate recorded high specific growth rate and a leaf length of 0.53 mm/day and 0.23.17±0.58 cm, respectively (%N=0.023; p less than 0.05). The maximum permissible mineral concentration set by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) was compared with that of the grown plants. Treated leachate can increase plant nutrient content.
03302016
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/za/
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/za/
10.17159/sajs.2016/20150051
20160330104000
http://www.sajs.co.za/fertigation-brassica-rapa-l-using-treated-landfill-leachate-nutrient-recycling-option/frank-o-alaribe-pariatamby-agamuthu